"Splish Splash..."

So I’ve been swimming laps for two weeks now, and I actually am starting to look forward to my time in the pool. As I told you in my previous post, swimming is not something that comes naturally to me. When I look at all of the Olympic swimmers on TV, I realize that what I do doesn’t even look like the same sport.

And, swimming requires you to do more preparation than just lacing up your Nikes. I mean, I knew I had to wear a bathing suit, and for the first few days I just jumped wearing a tankini that blew up with water every time I swam a lap. My eyes burned, my ears and nose filled up with water, and my hair, ooooh, my hair! I kept pushing it out of my face and pulling it back, but it was a mess when I got out.

I tried using a kid’s brand of after-swim shampoo, but when I went to get my hair cut and colored, Lori (my hairdresser) couldn’t believe the dryness. Her tip for all swimmers: Wet your hair BEFORE you get in the pool. That way it won’t absorb as much chlorine and will keep your hair from getting damaged or discolored. And then, cover it with a swim cap.

So I went to a local swim shop called B & B Aquatics (or you could try Dick’s, Sports Authority, Target and even Wal-Mart), and bought a spray sunscreen, swim cap, goggles, ear and nose plugs, UltraSwim shampoo and new suit.

I needed to buy spray sunscreen so I could get my back covered without any help. The sun in St. Louis is strong, even at 7:30 AM.

The suit was easy because most of them are made in cute colors and patterns. Lap swimming suits apparently reduce drag and help you swim faster. See how many cute colors it comes in!

The goggles not only protect my eyes from the chlorine, but they also help me swim better by allowing me to see where I’m going. (Remember I kind of list a little bit to the side and find myself headed straight for a side wall or rope if my eyes are closed). Also, try to adjust them before you get ready to jump in the pool. I have to thank the nice lady in the lane next to me who kindly told me that my goggles weren’t adjusted and they were upside down.

The swim cap keeps the long hair out of my face, and that’s one less thing that gets in the way of taking a breath! Plus, caps also help reduce drag, making the swim strokes more efficient. This was a difficult purchase for me because I hate wearing ANY kind of hat or cap. So I bought one in neon pink and figured if I were going to look ridiculous wearing it, at least I’d have a trendy color. Also, the cap is made of Lycra, not Latex, so it really stretches to fit even big heads like mine!

To complete the look, I keep trying the ear plugs and nose plugs, but they keep falling off and out. (Any suggestions??)

And of course, to wash the chlorine out of my hair after swimming, I bought Ultra Swim. It's the best known shampoo for removing chlorine, but there are lots of different brands out there. You just have to use something to get rid of the damaging chemicals.


I’ll never make it to the Olympics and I would probably drown during the swim portion of a triathalon, but I’m doing everything I can to make this lap swimming thing work. I’m up to 30 laps now and I only stop to catch my breath after 3 or 4 at a time instead of after each one!!